Foundation Laid for Essence Production Base in GOSB

CHF 47 Million Investment to Serve Dynamic Markets in Turkey, Middle East and Central Asian Countries. Firmenich, the world's largest privately-held flavours and fragrance company, and international fragrance producer MG International Fragrance Company laid the foundation stone for a new facility that will become a Regional Fragrances Production Hub in Gebze Organized Industrial Zone. The new production facility, backed by CHF 47 million in investment, will provide an additional 20,000 tonnes of capacity to serve Turkey, the Middle East and Central Asian countries. Firmenich, the world's largest privately-held flavours and fragrance company, and international fragrance producer MG International Fragrance Company laid the foundation stone on 5 November 2021 for a new facility to be established in Gebze Organized Industrial Zone (GOSB) in Turkey that will become a Regional Fragrances Production Hub. At the foundation-laying ceremony, the first concrete was laid by Firmenich Chief Executive Officer Gilbert Ghostine, MG International Fragrance Company Honorary Chairman Michel Gülçiçek, and MG International Fragrance Company Chief Executive Officer Aslan Gülçiçek, together with top-level executives including Firmenich Chief Operating Officer Eric Nicolas.

ENVIRONMENTALLY FRIENDLY PRODUCTION FACILITY PLANNED

The new facility is expected to commence operations in the final quarter of 2023, joining Firmenich's global service network of 46 fragrance, flavour and ingredients facilities worldwide. With a floor area of approximately 15,000 square metres across four storeys, the new production facility will house the most advanced digital production technologies and quality assurance laboratories in the sector. The highly automated factory will meet the demands of small and medium-sized enterprises developing in the region. The new facility, which will provide an additional 20,000 tonnes of capacity when integrated with MG International Fragrance Company's Gebze facilities, is expected to create employment for 100 people in the initial phase. Sustainability criteria were integrated into the project design from the outset, in line with Firmenich's responsible business approach and its ambitious 2030 Environmental, Social and Governance (ESG) targets. Firmenich's new production facility, to be built with LEED certification in the environmentally friendly building category, was designed to comply with sustainable building and production criteria with features including energy efficiency, renewable energy sources, water treatment and solar panels. The factory will contain a fully automatic two-line production section and advanced quality laboratories. The new facility, which will have green building status, will be designed and constructed with carbon footprint optimization and features that are healthy, human-centred, environmentally conscious and liveable.  

TO OPEN IN THE 100TH ANNIVERSARY YEAR OF THE REPUBLIC

Firmenich Chief Executive Officer Gilbert Ghostine stated: "This project is a milestone in Firmenich's partnership signed with MG International Fragrance Company in 2019 and demonstrates our joint commitment to providing more advantageous services to our customers and the strength of our dedication to this dynamic region. Built with the latest technologies, the factory will be a true fragrances hub, responding to rapidly increasing demand from small and medium-sized customers in Turkey, the Middle East and Central Asian countries," he said. Emphasizing his excitement about the new factory, Ghostine added: "We aim to open the new facility on 27 October 2023. This will coincide with the 100th anniversary of the Establishment of the Turkish Republic," he said. Aslan Gülçiçek, Chief Executive Officer of MG International Fragrance Company, stated: "We are proud that our legacy of 186 years of joint business experience in the fragrances sector continues to advance the alliance we launched just two years ago successfully. With Firmenich's investments in our country and the business world, we are demonstrating our determination to be a key player in these important markets in the region," he said.